Anti-Bullying Task Force Appoints Member of "Hate Group"

Thoughts? Does it make sense to appoint a member of a group that has been called out for attacking homosexuality to a task force to help prevent bullying of LGBT teens among others? Do you think this man (Bryan Lidquist) will be effective in helping to prevent teen bullying?

From reading the website from this man's group (The Parent's Action League) I believe he is a member of the school of thought that is against anti-bullying policies because he seems them as being pro-gay and he does not want children to hear anything pro-gay. Teaching kids to accept one another would be bad for them. From his website:

Whereas the theme of “school safety” is being used as a pretext to advance a much broader agenda: the legitimization of homosexuality and related conduct to impressionable schoolchildren, and

Whereas the Anoka-Hennepin School Board is considering removing the protective Sexual Orientation Curriculum Policy, an action that will undermine the academic focus of this district and open the door to pro-homosexual and related conduct materials in the school curriculum thereby exposing students to concepts hostile to their religious faith and or moral conviction and

I can see some positive in this appointment on that perhaps he may be exposed to some of the struggles that victims of bullying have. Clearly he is outnumbered and I would assume actions get voted on during meetings and that actions do not have to be in unanimous agreement. He may learn something, such as bullying for any reason is not ok and bullying causes detrimental outcomes. I assume the other appointees are stronger candidates. And perhaps in a slight way they are demonstrating inclusiveness and tolerances regardless of differences. I see it also that hearing the other side may help their side become more informed and stronger. I don't think it is a terrible move, maybe even strategic.

School Board chair Tom Heidemann gave final approval to the anti-bullying task force's new members. In an note to a concerned parent, Heidemann said Lindquist's inclusion in the group was to ensure "very diverse points of view," according to TWO. And in an interview with WTSP, he asserted the board and Lindquist's commitment to addressing bullying.

"Based on the testimony [Lindquist] had at the board, he's concerned about bullying harassment of students," Hidemann said, adding that intimidating behavior would not be tolerated and any task force member who does not perform will be removed. "I think again that in order for us to be effective as an organization, we cannot exclude any person based on their religious beliefs."

Under most circumstances I would agree with Hidemann's point about not excluding people based on their religious beliefs. However, it seems a bit strange when their particular religious beliefs result in the negative feelings towards LGBT kids that ends up with bullying them in the first place. Kids learn their attitudes towards other people directly from us; if I teach my kids that some of their fellow classmates are "bad" then they will treat those students as if they are "bad." It's not rocket science.

Also, it's weird because it seems to me that his only real interest in anti-bullying programs seems to be preventing them.

Under most circumstances I would agree with Hidemann's point about not excluding people based on their religious beliefs. However, it seems a bit strange when their particular religious beliefs result in the negative feelings towards LGBT kids that ends up with bullying them in the first place. Kids learn their attitudes towards other people directly from us; if I teach my kids that some of their fellow classmates are "bad" then they will treat those students as if they are "bad." It's not rocket science.

Also, it's weird because it seems to me that his only real interest in anti-bullying programs seems to be preventing them.

Just agreeing with this. I'm all for different viewpoints but I don't understand appointing someone who thinks that this is a waste of time and against "his" religion being on the task force.

Under most circumstances I would agree with Hidemann's point about not excluding people based on their religious beliefs. However, it seems a bit strange when their particular religious beliefs result in the negative feelings towards LGBT kids that ends up with bullying them in the first place. Kids learn their attitudes towards other people directly from us; if I teach my kids that some of their fellow classmates are "bad" then they will treat those students as if they are "bad." It's not rocket science.

Also, it's weird because it seems to me that his only real interest in anti-bullying programs seems to be preventing them.

So what you are saying is that LGBT kids are the only one's being bullied? A Christian student is never bullied?

The only thing that is odd (and sickening) to me is the fact that he desires to be on the committee. I think that ia a bunch of bologne. I am having a hard time accepting any piece of nobility in that.